Joshua Gunter, The Plain DealerBrandon Weeden and the Browns look for their third straight win at home today against Baltimore.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Quick observations as the teams prepare for the kickoff.

1. The truth is when a team is 2-6, there really are no BIG games. But then the team is the Browns, winning 2-of-3 feels like a winning streak. And when you have the NFL's worst record since 1999...and your record is 20-52 since opening day of 2008...well, this can be a big game because something has to be a big game, and after all, Baltimore is in town.

2. Besides, if you're the Browns, nearly half of your roster is composed of rookies or players in their second pro seasons. You want them to know what it feels like to knock off Baltimore at Browns Stadium. Veteran Browns fans want to remember, too, since the last time it happened was 2007. And since current Baltimore coach John Harbaugh is 9-0 vs. the orange helmets. And current Browns coach Pat Shurmur is 1-7 in the AFC-North.

3. But the Browns beat Cincinnati, 34-24, in their last division game. So they are on a 1-game AFC-North winning streak!

4. This is a sports town aching for heroes. I was at the Cavs opener, and three Browns were shown on the scoreboard. Joe Haden received a very loud ovation. Brandon Weeden's was louder. And the fans nearly ripped off the roof for Trent Richardson.

5. Remember, that was for a 2-6 team, but that also came after a 7-6 victory over San Diego.

6. Here's why I picked the Browns to lose: I'm wrong far more than I'm right. And I want to be wrong. And I want the Browns to win this game for a variety of reasons, but it comes down to this: For the Browns, it has to start somewhere.

7. I'm not even sure how to define "it," other than fans will begin to sense "it" when "it" shows up on the field. "It" means fans show up at the stadium without a sense of dread when the Steelers or Ravens are in town. "It" means fans think the orange helmets have a decent shot to win, and really don't fear being embarrassed watching their favorite team when watching a game on the shores of Lake Erie.

8. "It" would start with the Browns not only talking as if they can beat the Ravens as they have this week -- but playing like "it" has taken hold of their football hearts. The Ravens are 6-2, but their defense is limping. Stars Ray Lewis and Lardarius Webb are out, Haloti Ngata is iffy. Former Kent State head coach Dean Pees is the coordinator, and has to be driven to distraction as his team is ranked 30th against the run.

9. Can the Browns line up and run the ball on the Ravens, when the Ravens will be determined to stop Trent Richardson from running the ball. A sign that "it" is showing up for the Browns will be if Richardson has a big day today.

10. Richardson has had three good games this season, the last being Sunday with a career-high 122 yards rushing against San Diego. But he's not had two good games in a row. After gaining 109 yards against the Bengals, he had 27 in 12 carries against Buffalo. After running for 81 yards against the Giants, he had eight yards in eight carries at Indianapolis. So what happens today? Part of having "it" is your young stars producing week after week.

11. I've been reading about Ravens all week having injuries, coming off a 43-13 spanking by Houston. I've been reading the defense is old and that the offense slipping. Meanwhile, the Browns are rising. But when the two teams take the field today, the Browns are 2-6 and the Ravens are 6-2. And the records say there is a Grand Canyon of a gap between them. But a way to close it is to beat Baltimore...today.

12. This is an important day for Weeden, as the rookie quarterback will have to throw for his team to win. Not 40 or more times, but you know the Ravens will stack the line to stop Richardson. And you know that this Browns coaching staff likes to throw short passes to Richardson to give him room to run away from the center of defensive attention. And you know it takes a few big plays to upset a team such as Baltimore. And it usually is the quarterback who has to make at least some of those plays.

13. Also, Weeden is gaining respect from coaches, teammates and fans. Even the hardest-core Colt McCoy supporters admit Weeden is playing pretty well, they just counter with McCoy would also be productive with the new teammates such as Josh Gordon and Richardson. He can add to his confidence level (and that of the fans) with a strong game. One of those 3-pick disasters...I don't want to even think about it.

14. Baltimore's Joe Flacco is still a terrific quarterback throwing to Anquan Boldin and Torrey Smith. They caught 15 passes against the Browns in the Ravens' 23-16 victory earlier in the season. Ray Rice is Ray Rice, and he can still run over many defenses. These Ravens are 6-2. They are a huge challenge to the Browns defense. For the Browns, Haden was suspended for that game. The Browns are 2-2 when he plays, 0-4 when he sits.

15. Finally, I love to be writing stories when I hear the fans going home happy from Browns Stadium. It doesn't change the big picture of life, but it's a wonderful diversion and makes getting through the day a little more fun.

Follow Us

cleveland.com is powered by Plain Dealer Publishing Co. and Northeast Ohio Media Group. All rights reserved (About Us).The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Northeast Ohio Media Group LLC.